I put spot remover on my dog and he disappeared

Okay so the New Year. What's with that....simply on fire.

Since 2008 hit my game has improved big time on the poker tables. Had a hot run playing the first 10 hands in a 4$ 180 man SNG and was Chip leader after 10 hands. Some interesting cards came my way and I think I played them to maximize my profit.

Okay, so I got lucky but I thought I played the hands very well. Here is an interesting hand from that tournament.

I had K10 of spades on the button and had called a limper. The BB also calls so its three of us on the flop. I hit the 2 spades I needed for four to a flush but best of all the JQ of spades come on the flop so I have an open ended straight flush draw.

I made a soft call on a bet for the pot. It left me alone with one caller. Hmm...Could he have a higher flush.

The next card hits and its a J. I decided my caller is either playing a flush draw or is on a straight draw. Little did I realize he has a jack in his hand.

So many possibilities.

I make a solid bet at the turn card leaving my caller with a 3-1 odds call.

He makes the call and a 9 of spades hits on the river. Okay so now a J10 is looking straightish....J with a Q is also a boat and since I have both beat I go all in.

I figure if my opponent has the A of spades he has to call with that board. Any Full house is also calling. For sure he has got to be interested. I thought I drew him in with my check on the flop and just under pot sized bet on the turn. Anyways...the ALL IN worked - he called and might of been a bit peeved that his JJJ99 hand was second best.

I find the low limits people will call when a four card flush hits even if they have a low spade. OVER BETTING is key in the right situation and this was a great situation to make a huge bet. He couldn't get away from the hand - no doubt either could I.

That double up lasted until a few tight aggressive hands put me up to 16k in chips and top ten finish.

In the end - I was pushing with KJ and called by the big blind with AJ. Bad luck to run into the AJ but it happens. I needed chips to keep moving up and the blinds were up to 1000-2000 with large antes so it was now or never.

All in all a well played tournament (if I don't say so myself) and a second 10th place finish in a row.....consistent...the goal for 2008. If there is one thing I really need to work on is short stack play and push or fold equity hands.

My bank roll has doubled since Monday and with a nice profit at the Craps tables I start off 2008 on a roll.

Hats off to CTOWN pro who took down an 18 man SNG with some great small stack play to begin the domination by the Freeland Duo.

My next blog will address "local" cheating and the threat it poses to the game....